FAQ’s

How do I get admitted to a program at CEDC?

Please contact CEDC directly for an initial evaluation appointment. Referrals are also accepted from physicians, mental health professionals, college and high school staff, and other organizations within the community.

ADMISSION

Our admission process begins with a phone screening after which an intake evaluation (either on-site or by phone) is scheduled. During this meeting, CEDC staff will gather information about your treatment needs and outline a treatment plan.

***If you need residential care, we will require you to have routine lab work and an EKG done prior to your intake interview. Information will be sent directly to your primary care physician’s office regarding necessary lab work and medical information***

INSURANCE

Before you arrive for an initial intake, we will verify your insurance to make sure that your plan’s benefits cover the level of care you are seeking. In addition, we will obtain specific policy and coverage information by calling the member services line listed on the back of your insurance card.

Who will I work with?

Patients at CEDC will work with a clinician as their Case Manager who will meet to discuss treatment goals and progress and assist with communication with your outpatient team.

Residential Program Patients will meet with their clinician twice weekly for individual therapy, and once weekly for family therapy.

Partial Hospitalization Program Patients will meet with their case manager twice weekly for case management, and once weekly for family therapy.

Intensive Outpatient Program Patients will meet with their case manager once a week, and will also meet for family therapy.

What is a typical day like?

Residential Program

You will follow a daily routine to promote the development of a healthy self that encompasses both emotional and physical well-being. A typical day looks like this:

Weekend planning occurs Fridays from 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM. We also schedule off-site leisure activities such as bowling or a visit to a museum for residents on the weekends.

Partial Hospital Program

PHP groups run from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Monday through Friday. A typical day looks like this:

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM Goal Setting

9:50 AM – 10:10 AM Snack

10:10 AM – 11:00 AM Therapy Group

11:00 AM – 11:10 AM Break

11:10 AM – 12:00 PM Therapy Group

12:00 PM – 12:50 PM Lunch

12:50 PM – 1:40 PM Therapy Group

1:40 PM – 1:50 PM Break

1:50 PM – 2:40 PM Therapy Group

2:40 PM – 3:00 PM Snack

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Evening Planning

Intensive Outpatient Program

IOP groups run from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Monday through Friday. A typical evening looks like this for both the adult and adolescent programs:

5:30 PM – 6:00 PM Goal Setting (check-in)

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Dinner

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Group Session

7:30 PM – 7:40 PM Break

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM Group Session

What happens in groups at CEDC?

At CEDC, groups provide patients with the necessary tools and the support to overcome their eating disorder. They will receive nutrition education and therapy, psychoeducation regarding reducing eating disordered behaviors and coping skills, and psychotherapy to address issues with relationships, body image, and to develop a new sense of how the mind and body are connected, cultivate a support system for recovery, and plan strategies to deal with future issues. CEDC also offers specialized Art Therapy and Media Literacy Groups.

Will I have a roommate in the residential program?

The residential program resembles a college dormitory with shared bedrooms (2 or 3 beds). We make an effort to place patients with roommates that they will be comfortable with.

What are meals like at CEDC?

When you are admitted to a program at CEDC, you will be fully evaluated by one of our Registered Dieticians who will design a meal plan for you. Meals are prepared by on-site chefs.

Residential

You will be able to select three meals and three snacks per day in accordance with your meal plan. If you are underweight, your meal plan will match your current caloric intake and will periodically increase to encourage weight restoration. If you are not underweight, you will have a maintenance meal plan intended to normalize your eating behaviors.

Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs

You will participate in therapeutic and supervised meals. In PHP, you will have two snacks and one supervised lunch each day. Twice a week, you will be expected to bring a well-balanced lunch. In addition, you will be asked to try “risk” foods at least once a week.

In IOP, you are expected to bring a well-balanced dinner to each session (guidelines to follow will be provided). Patients are required to eat 100% of the meal. Once a week, you will be required to bring a “risk’ food. We aim to provide a supportive atmosphere for practicing new eating behaviors to challenge your distortions about food and eating in a safe and controlled environment.

Are the bathrooms locked?

The bathrooms are only locked on the residential treatment floors.

Can my family and friends visit?

CEDC has regular visiting hours every evening and additional time during the afternoon on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays for clients in the residential program.

Family meetings are typically scheduled at the convenience of the family and the availability of the Case Manager. For family members who are out of state or unable to make in-person meetings, the Case Manager will conduct the meeting over a conference call.

*** If you are under the age of 18, your parents or guardian may specify who they do or do not want visiting while you are in the program. ***

Residential:

The average length of stay can range from three weeks to three months.

Partial Hospitalization Program:

The average length of treatment is three to six weeks.

Intensive Outpatient Program:

The average length of treatment is six to ten weeks.

What are Therapeutic Passes?

Therapeutic passes are intended to challenge you in situations where you may want to use eating disorder behaviors and are one of the best tools for determining your readiness for discharge from the Residential Program. These passes are individually designed to what you are able to tolerate. Initially passes are supervised and can be independent once you feel ready.

The goal is to gradually succeed in managing your behaviors in real world situations. This will help you to build confidence that you will be able to contain your urges outside of the program.

What are the criteria for discharge?

Discharge criteria are as follows:

Medical stability

Weight within a healthy range

Improvement in eating disorder behaviors

A concrete aftercare plan

You must also feel comfortable in your step down to a lower level of care.

In addition to tools and coping skills to use when you are feeling urges to use eating disorder behaviors, you will also need structure, support and motivation. The road to recovery is paved with belief in yourself.

Get Help Today

Get help with your eating disorder today. Call us at 1-888-900-CEDC or request information here

Our Centers

Testimonials

Thank you for everything—especially for believing in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. Sometimes that was what convinced me to keep trying even when I felt hopeless…Linda Nolan

Cambridge Eating Disorder Center

Move from surviving to thriving.

The Cambridge Eating Disorder Center provides individuals suffering with eating disorders a comprehensive continuum of support services focused on their recovery. Our treatment programs focus on reducing the eating disorder symptoms while promoting the development of a healthy self that encompasses both emotional and physical well-being.